Rod maker, method for operating the same and air conveyor system

Abstract

A method of operating a rod maker for tobacco processing that includes sifting a tobacco flow in a chamber of the rod maker with a first air flow to separate tobacco ribs from the tobacco flow and conveying the sifted tobacco flow in the chamber by at least one of the first air flow and a second air flow. Moreover, the method includes conveying air out of the chamber via a third air flow and a fourth air flow, where a sum of an air throughput of the third air flow and the fourth air flow is substantially constant, irrespective of a productive capacity of the rod maker. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 007 841.6, filed on Feb. 17, 2004, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a rod maker (rod-making machine) for tobacco processing, in which a tobacco flow is sifted in a chamber of the rod maker by a first air flow so that tobacco ribs are separated from the tobacco flow, in which the sifted tobacco flow is conveyed in the chamber by the first and / or a second air flow, in which a third and a fourth air flow are provided which convey air out of the chamber. The invention further relates to a rod maker of the tobacco processing industry comprising a tobacco sifter, a suction rod conveyor and a device for conveying tobacco to the suction rod conveyor, in which the device for con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] By keeping the sum of the air throughput of the third and fourth air flow to an essentially constant value, irrespective of the productive capacity of the rod maker, it is possible to influence the air pressure in the chamber such that a uniform sifting of the tobacco flow is rendered possible. The lower the productive capacity of the rod maker, the faster the suction belt of the suction rod conveyor, which can also be a suction belt conveyor within the scope of the invention, seals up by the application of tobacco so that less air in the form of the third air flow is carried away out of the chamber via the suction rod conveyor. The air throughput conveyed out of the chamber in the form of the fourth air flow should then be increased accordingly so that the air speed at the sifter, comprising a pre-sifter and optionally a post-sifter, does not change too much and preferably remains constant so that the rib discharge from the tobacco flow also remains constant. This effect occurs essentially because the pressure in the chamber remains essentially constant so that the air speed at the sifter does not have to be changed. The sum of the air throughputs of the third and fourth air flow is kept constant automatically or when the rod maker is running.

[0024] An air distributor is preferably arranged downstream of the circulation fan and upstream of the chamber. A particularly effective air guidance is rendered possible in the air conveyor system if by releasing air upstream of the chamber it is made possible to keep constant the air throughput that can be conveyed out of the chamber. It is expedient to provide a throttle flap in a pipe discharging air into the surroundings. Preferably, an essentially constant pressure can be established in the chamber. To this end, e.g., a pressure sensor can be used in the chamber. The aspect can be attained very effectively if a control or regulating device is provided to control or regulate the air throughput released into the surroundings. The control or regulation preferably occurs continuously or progressively, and with the latter alternative two positions or three positions of the throttle flap are preferably provided or two or three predetermined air throughputs can be predetermined.

Problems solved by technology

However, with such a method, such a rod maker and such an air conveyor system, the effect occurs that the rib discharge from the tobacco flow to be sifted changes with the productive capacity of the rod maker.

Thus, e.g., when the productive capacity is cut back, more tobacco is sifted out, which leads to a deterioration of the efficiency of the method and of the rod maker.

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